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First glioblastoma patient treated with genetically modified poliovirus at UH

University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center treated its first patient in a new clinical trial to validate the groundbreaking effects of the poliovirus on glioblastoma, a deadly Grade IV cancer of the brain.

24 Jan 2020

T. gondii parasite employs a sophisticated manipulation to suppress host's immune response

Toxoplasma gondii is best known as the parasite that may lurk in a cat's litter box. Nearly a third of the world's population is believed to live with a chronic Toxoplasma infection.

24 Jan 2020

Researchers solve long-standing mystery linked to contraction of heart cells

We've all felt the effects of an adrenaline rush. Faced with danger, real or perceived, the heart beats faster, breathing quickens and muscles tighten as the body prepares to fight a threat or flee from it.

23 Jan 2020

Synthego adopts good manufacturing practices for highest-quality genome engineering for clinical applications

Synthego, the genome engineering company, today announced it has adopted Good Manufacturing Practice standards to provide academic and industry partners with high-quality reagents for use in clinical research and development.

From Synthego Corporation 23 Jan 2020

MIT spin-out partners with Cambridge Consultants to co-develop the first Flowfect system

MIT spin-out company Kytopen has engaged Cambridge Consultants to co-develop the first Flowfect system.

22 Jan 2020

Potential Parkinson's treatment effectively targets a specific group of brain cells

Scientists have discovered that a non-invasive technique which could one day be used to treat Parkinson's disease, can successfully target a highly specific group of brain cells which play a key role in development of the condition.

22 Jan 2020

Novel drug inhibits liver damage, obesity and glucose intolerance in mice fed with high-fat diet

Mice given a new drug targeting a key gene involved in lipid and glucose metabolism could tolerate a high-fat diet regimen (composed of 60% fat from lard) without developing significant liver damage, becoming obese, or disrupting their body's glucose balance.

20 Jan 2020

Fish oil supplements could benefit testicular function in healthy men finds study

A large Danish study has shown that fish oil supplements taken by healthy men of the reproductive age could help improve their testicular function as is evidenced by their semen quality and reproductive hormone levels. The study led by researcher Tina Kodd Jensen, titled, “Associations of Fish Oil Supplement Use With Testicular Function in Young Men,” was published this week in the latest issue of the JAMA.

19 Jan 2020

Finding has major ramifications for ongoing drug development against MLL-rearranged leukemia

A massive research effort over more than a quarter century has tried to make personalized blood stem cells for use in treating leukemias, among many other uses.

17 Jan 2020

Genetically engineered mosquitoes halt Dengue spread

A new study published in the journal PLOS Pathogens in January 2020 reports the development of mosquitoes that have been genetically modified to resist infection by several types of the dengue virus. This is the first time ever that all types of the virus have been targeted by the engineering of the mosquito DNA. Covering all virus types is essential to achieve proper disease control.

16 Jan 2020

Study provides new insights into small acidic protein linked to Parkinson's disease

Research by University at Buffalo biologists is providing new insights into alpha-synuclein, a small acidic protein associated with Parkinson's disease.

16 Jan 2020

Study explains “Swiss-cheese” bones suspected to cause lower back pain

Researchers at the John Hopkins University School of Medicine say they have added to the evidence that age-related changes to spinal cartilage tissue could invite painful nerve overgrowth that causes lower back pain.

15 Jan 2020

Study shows how cancer-causing genes promote metastasis

Cancer-promoting genes MYC and TWIST1 co-opt immune system cells to enable cancer cells to spread, but blocking a key step in this process can help prevent the disease from developing.

14 Jan 2020

Study may help develop new treatments for abnormal nerve growth in the spine

In experiments with genetically engineered and old mice, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers say they have added to evidence that the vast majority of low back pain in people may be rooted in an overgrowth of pain-sensing nerves into spinal cartilaginous tissue.

14 Jan 2020

Study of glycobiology and glycan diagnostics in personalized medicine featured in OMICS special issue

An in-depth look at the science of glycobiology and glycan diagnostics, and their promise in personalized medicine in the current post-genomic era are featured in a special issue of OMICS: A Journal of Integrative Biology, the peer-reviewed interdisciplinary journal published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers.

13 Jan 2020

Using caffeine to study how the brain processes information

Researchers are using caffeine to study how the brain processes information, and a new study shows the effectiveness of this approach.

13 Jan 2020

Missing a key protein in the brain can cause autism-like behaviors

Scientists at Rutgers University-Newark have discovered that when a key protein needed to generate new brain cells during prenatal and early childhood development is missing, part of the brain goes haywire - causing an imbalance in its circuitry that can lead to long-term cognitive and movement behaviors characteristic of autism spectrum disorder.

9 Jan 2020

Maternal microbiota is a source of newborn immunity, shows study

Mother's milk has been long touted for its salutary effects on the newborn and its ability to shield infants from certain infections.

9 Jan 2020

ERS Genomics and New England Biolabs sign agreement to commercialize CRISPR/Cas9 tools, reagents

ERS Genomics Limited, which was formed to provide broad access to the foundational CRISPR/Cas9 intellectual property co-owned by Dr. Emmanuelle Charpentier, today announced it has signed an agreement with New England Biolabs, a global leader in the discovery and production of enzymes for molecular biology applications, granting NEB rights to sell CRISPR/Cas9 tools and reagents.

From New England Biolabs 9 Jan 2020

Research adds definitive evidence about how the body's earliest immune cells are formed

One day the advance could lead to a patient's own skin cells being used to produce new cells for cancer immunotherapy or to test autoimmune disease interventions.

8 Jan 2020